Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

Taxonomy

Scientific Details

See below for information.

Taxonomy

Phylum:

Chordata

Subphylum:

Vertebrata

Class:

Mammalia

Order:

Cetacea

Family:

Balaenopteridae

Genus:

Megaptera

Species:

novaeangliae

General Description

Body grey-black. Dorsal fin with curved edge. Fins on side of body have white underneath and lumps on the front edge. Tail dark on top, white underneath. Water spray from blowhole is a single vertical jet less than 5 m high. Up to 18 m long.

Biology

Humpback Whales migrate to warmer Australian waters in Harvey Bay and the Great Barrier Reef to breed in winter months.